Derrybeg Community Association

The Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin cumann would like to congratulate Marian O'Reilly on her election as the new chairperson of Derrybeg Community Association. For too long the good people of Derrybeg were left somewhat behind other areas of Newry when funding was being allocated due to the narrow mindedness of some on the committee. It has to be said that Derrybeg Community Association in its early days did carry out tireless work on behalf of the residents but more recently members of that group became involved in an anti - sinn féin campaign and openly tried to undermine work that the cumann and the elected reps had been doing in the area. It was and always is our aim to assist people with whatever help they need regardless of thier political views and we will continue to do this to the best of our ability. So we wish the new committee all the best in the future and look forward to working with the newly elected committee in the coming weeks and months.

Disgraceful Treatment of Local Resident

The Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin cumann would like to take this opportunity to offer our sympathy to local man James Clarke who recently lost his job after thugs claiming to be republicans hijacked and burnt his work van on the Camlough Road on August 8th.
Whilst most of us are working hard to move the Republican project forward there are a few people who are hell bent on bringing us back to a place that no one wants to be. The sooner these few individuals realise that they have no support within our communities the better for us all. The stark reality is that a local family are left devestated as a result of the actions of a few thoughtless people in times when families are finding it hard enough to make ends meet.
The actions of the employers is not much better it has to be said. This man did not invite the people responsible into his home to take the van nor did he expect in this day and age to be held and threatened at gun point. Your actions are playing into the hands of those who are trying on a daily basis to undermine the good work that is being carried out in our communities on a daily basis. SHAME ON YOU!

CAMLOUGH 1981 HUNGER STRIKE COMMITTEE

The annual Óglach Raymond McCreesh commemoration will take place this Sunday 22nd May 2011. Mass will be celebrated at 11am at St Malachy's Church and the commemration will take place at Raymond's grave immediately afterwards. Oration by Raymond's close comrade and friend and fellow hunger striker Paddy Quinn. Everyone welcome.

FOR SALE

Hand Crafted Celtic Cross ideal gift priced at just £75. A very popular item which is in great demand. To secure this item contact the Newry Office 028 302 61693.

FOR SALE

Beautiful hand crafted Harp stained in mahogany and hand carved celtic design. Ideal gift for someone. Only £75 contact Newry Office 028302 61693

VOTERS OF NEWRY

Newry Sinn Féin would like to thank the people of Newry for voting for the Sinn Féin candidates in such large numbers. Unfortunately on this occasion we missed out narrowly on taking a fourth Sinn Féin seat. Can we take this opportunity to express our thanks to out going councillor Marian O'Reilly who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Newry and Mourne for so many years. We are glad to say that Marian will continue to be an important part of the Newry Sinn Féin team and will share her experience and knowledge with her colleagues.
Newry Sinn Féin is here to continue to work on behalf of the people to help allevaite in any way some of the problems that people are facing in their day to day life.
To contact any of the Newry councillors;
brendan.curran@newryandmourne.gov.uk
charlie.casey@newryandmourne.gov.uk
valerie.harte@newryandmourne.gov.uk
Or contact the Newry office; info.newry@sinn-fein.ie or phone 30261693

VOTAIL SINN FEIN

A Chara

Make a difference and vote for Sinn Fein on May 5th.

Sinn Fein is the only all Ireland Party working towards unification of our country.

Make your voice heard and vote Sinn Fein.

If you require a lift to and from your local polling station, please contact the Newry office and we will ensure this happens at your convenience.

Sinn Fein office 02830261693

Newry Republicans Retrace the steps of Newry Man Patrick Rankin

On Friday the 22nd April eight Newry Republicans (accompanied by a back up team) retraced the journey that Newry man Patrick Rankin took in 1916 to take part in the Easter Rising.

Leaving Newry at 7.30am in glorious sunshine, the team set off for a gruelling 65 mile trip. The first stop for the cyclists was Castlebellingham village and a well deserved water stop (especially for the bus drivers-the hot weather made very thirsty work). All participants were raring to get going so off we went again, next stop Julianstown.

On arriving at Julianstown ****stop we quickly realised that we were two men down. Search teams were dispatched (in the form of Tidly Marron) and thankfully the two "little boy racers" were found safe and well. RT says he is never buying tissues in the Free State again as they are very dear. After fixing Malachy Rafferty's puncture (some say it was an act of sabotage never ) the team set off again for Santry Church on the outskirts of Dublin. On nearing the city the skies opened briefly (Marty Lynch thought that Ramie was crying again) but we can confirm that it was definately a rain shower. Undeterred the lads took off for the GPO and arrived in convoy to be met by locals. All in all a brilliant day and congratulations to all involved. A special mention to Stewarty who wanted to cycle home again. Thanks to all the sponsors and participants as well as the drivers. Go raibh maith agat!

Once a Shinner always a Shinner

Its hard to get away from your life long ambition.

Vote Sinn Fein 5th May

May 5th 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of the death of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands. On May 5th this year the people of the north have the opportunity to make another bit of history by returning Sinn Fein candidates to both the Assembly and local councils in larger numbers and by doing this making Sinn Fein the largest Party in the 6 counties.

In the Assembly we are asking people to vote

Mickey Brady 1, Cathal Boylan 2, Conor Murphy 3.

In the local council election we are asking people to vote

Marian O'Reilly 1, Charlie Casey 2, Valerie Harte 3,

Brendan Curran 4.

If you require a lift to the polling station on May5th please contact our Advice Centre 028 302 61693 and we will arrange this for you.

Votail Sinn Fein

Remembering Volunteer Colm Marks

Local Republicans marked the 20th anniversary of Derrybeg man IRA volunteer Colm Marks by laying a wreath at the recently refurbished monument in Second Avenue.

Colm was murdered by the RUC 20 years ago while on active service in Downpatrick Co Down.

A native of Derrybeg, Colm is greatly missed by all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

He will never be forgotten.

Remember May 5th make your vote count

May 5th 2011 will mark the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strikes in the H Blocks, a turning point in Irish history. We too have a chance of making history on May 5th this year and continue the push for a united Ireland which our ten brave comrades paid the ultimate sacrifice for.

Sinn Fein can become the largest party in the north and for this reason we are asking everyone to ensure that they registered to vote and to come out on the day to cast their vote for the SF team. On the same day we will be voting on the Assembly elections and we hope to return our 3 MLAs with an even stronger percentage of the vote.

If for some reason you are unable to make it to the polling station or will be away on holiday please contact our office and we will arrange a postal/proxy vote. Every vote counts.

Residents Urged to Be Vigilant

As the election campaign begins residents are urged to be vigilant when answering calls to their home. This comes after a "bogus caller" gained entrance to a pensioners home on the pretence of needing a glass of water. After leaving the door to get the woman caller (who was delivering an "Independent" candidate's literature) the water, the homeowner discovered that her hand bag had been rifled and a large sum of money stolen. Residents should ask callers to their home to identify themselves and ascertain who they are representing before taking any sort of material from them. It is a sad situation where oportunistic thieves prey on vulnerable people in our society while proporting to want to represent them and help them.

Kevin "Beansie" Heatley

Newry Sinn Féins' Cllr Marian O'Reilly and ex -POWs Malachy Rafferty and John Stewart.

Pictured after laying a wreath on behalf of the Hughes Grant Watters cumann at the spot where Kevin "Beansie" Heatley was murdered aged 12 by British soldiers on 28th February 1973.

Óglach Peter "Skeet" Hamiltons' remains being moved to his native Ardoyne in north Belfast on Monday 28th February 2011.

Over 300 people attended the moving ceremony from his residence in Dundalk where the new TD for Louth Gerry Adams spoke movingly about Skeet and his life in the Republican Movement.

HUNGER STRIKE LECTURES CONTINUES-1980 HUNGER STRIKER RAYMOND MC CARTNEY GUEST SPEAKER

Hunger Strike Lecture Continues - Guest Speaker Raymond McCartney MLA.
In a continuation of events to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Hunger Strike, a lecture will take place this Thursday Night, 3rd March, in The McCreesh Community House Camloch at 7.30pm.
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session and this event is open to people of all ages.
Listen at first hand to the conditions endured by Republicans as they fought the "criminalisation" policy both inside and outside the prisons.
Please note that the venue has changed from Cloughreagh Community Centre to The McCreesh Community House Camloch, due to emergency works at Cloughreagh Community Centre.

Marian O'Reilly (CLLR)

Sinn Féin councillor Marian O'Reilly has once again been selected by Sinn Féin to contest the May 05th local government elections. A lifelong republican and resident of the Derrybeg Park Estate, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of people from right across Newry and Armagh and further afield and will continue to do so if successfully elected again.

Marian is a mother of three children and a grandmother of four. She has been a part of the Republican Movement all of her adult life and on one occasion almost paid with her life when loyalist gunmen sprayed the minibus in which she and her three children were in while travelling to prison to visit their father. Undeterred, Marian stepped up to the plate and took her position on Newry and Mourne council where she has been an invaluable part of the Sinn Féin team. Marian has taken the plight of homeless people to her heart and she can be spotted many a morning taking constituents to the local housing executive offices to help them secure proper and well deserved housing for them and their children. Marian has pledged to continue this important work and she can be contacted at the local Sinn Féin advice centre. 02830261693

If you require any advice or help with any issue you might have please feel free to contact Marian at any time.

If you feel you can help out with Marian's campaign please contact a cumann member or leave your details in the Newry Sinn Féin office.

NAIL THE LIE

Davy Hyland was very happy being a member of Sinn Féin as can be seen in the picture opposite.

Lets "Nail the Lie" once and for all;

If Davy had been selected to stand in the last assembly election he would still be there toeing the Party line.

Davy co-chaired a meeting in the canal court hotel a few weeks before he spat his dummy out. At this meeting he declared that he was 100% behind the Adams/McGuinness leadership on the policing issue and all other issues

If Davy and the people pulling his strings had the courage of their conviction, he would be standing in the forth coming election as an éirígí candidate and not as an "Independent".

Two other very capable people put their names forward for selection at the same time as Davy, namely Charlie Casey and Brendan Curran, and although disappointed that they were not selected, they continued in their roles and represent all the people of Newry on a daily basis and continue to advance the republican project.

Time Out

Sorry readers for the lapse in time since the last blog, the reason being is that we are flat out canvassing with our comrades in the 26 counties. Fantastic feed back from people on the doorsteps. We have a good feeling about this election and we look forward to the 25th February, history in the making!

Derrybeg Riot

We would like to comment on the riot on the Camlough Road before Christmas.
As a result of a hoax bomb warning (which caused widespread disruption to you the residents of this area), Derrybeg was unnecessarily saturated by members of the PSNI Tactical Support Group (TSG) who totally mishandled the riot that had been orchestrated by malcontents who have no interest in Irish unity. The young people involved in the riot were not resisitng British Rule but engaging in anti-social devilment. These same people have no problem stoning fire-fighters or people's cars.
Thanks to Cllr Marian O'Reilly, local Sinn Féin activists and Independent Policing Board Member Colette O'Reilly, this dangerous and volatile situation was brought to a safe conclusion. In the immediate aftermath of the riot, Cllr Marian O'Reilly, community activists and District Policing Partnership member Cllr Brendan Curran, met the most seniorPSNI officers in this area. A robust discussion took place centred on the totally unacceptable behaviour of the TSG in Derrybeg. The PSNI was left in no doubt as to the feelings of the people of Derrybeg. A further meeting is planned and Sinn Féin will continue to hold the PSNI to account.
This matter was again forcefully raised at a recent DPP meeting by both Brendan and Colette.
It is nonsense for those not at the heart of struggle to claim that there has been no change in policing. THE RUC HAS GONE. Yes, there are still some dinosaurs lurking in the PSNI undergrowth but the reality is that 80% of PSNI officers were not RUC members and they carry no emotional baggage for the old sectarian force. The PSNI is also the most scrutinised police service anywhere. We are convinced that young people joining the PSNI today will end their careers in an All Ireland Police Service.
Unfortunatley, it is likely that riot situations will be orchestrated in the future by people who have no interests of Ireland or Derrybeg at heart.
Be assured that the Republican Movement will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Derrybeg as we always have done and we always will.

Deepest Sympathy

The Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin cumann would like to express their deepest sympathy to the Fegan family from Killeavy Road on the death of their father Dominic.

House Burgulary in Meadow

Residents in the Meadow are urged to be vigilant after a break-in recently. The thieves forced entry through a rear PVC door and proceeded to ransack the family home. They escaped with a very small amount of cash. Speaking about the incident Sinn Féin councillor Marian O'Reilly commented:

"I would call on residents to keep a close watch out for any suspicious activity in their area and pass this information on. I would especially ask people to check on elderly residents as these thugs have no regard for age or gender. This particular incident seems to me to be an oportunistic thief who seen the resident leaving her home and who knew that no one else was in the house. If the community works together and watches out for one another this type of cowardly activity can be driven from our areas."